“We have planned to provide 40 lakh LPG connections in Odisha in next three years. From the total list, 30 lakh will be from poor segments which will be given free connections,” said the minister after launching Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Sambalpur.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and state BJP president Basant Panda were present on the occasion.

Presently, Odisha has 32 lakh gas connections.

“We will be distributing connections through this scheme by organising melas in villages and panchayats and ensuring distribution in a transparent manner in every nook and corner of Odisha,” said Pradhan.

He said the beneficiaries would be selected as per socio-economic caste census of 2011.

“Wish to make Odisha homes free from firewood and traditional fuel,” he said, also requesting the Odisha government to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

With the resources at their command, it will not be difficult for the state government to enroll the beneficiaries in the scheme under NFSA, he added.